The 49-year-old former assistant coach is suddenly in the hot seat after Milovan Rajevac was unceremoniously sacked following Sunday’s 4-1 defeat by India, their first loss to that country in 32 years.

Rajevac’s obsessively cautious approach has already proved to be a major factor in the gradual decline of the War Elephants, so Sirisak has been handed the task of devising a new game plan to keep Thai hopes alive in the United Arab Emirates.

“It’s like getting through a storm to help the team. I have to try every possible way to make the team better. Make them come up with better results,” said the former coach of League 2 outfit Thai Honda.

Thailand arrived the UAE with a realistic target of reaching the round of 16 but the surprise defeat to India in Abu Dahbi has made them outsiders to progress, with two tougher assignments ahead, against Bahrain and the hosts, on January 10 and 14 respectively.

“We actually played so well in the first half of the game with India. But after we lost the second goal we lost out concentration,” said Sirisak, who is familiar with all the players having been working as Rajevac’s assistant coach since 2017.

“If we play more carefully, we will have two entertaining games. At least we shall see some improvement. There could still be a surprise.”

Sirisak said the Thai FA office had exerted no pressure on him about the results he achieves in the remaining group matches and reaching the knock out stage had not even mentioned; simply raising their performance level is the top priority he has to concern himself with.

“We’ve been far away from the word pressure. We have to play our best to make the fans happy at this point,” Sirisak added.

Four points from the two remaining games may still lift Thailand to a runners-up finish in the group, which would guarantee qualification for the round of 16, or more likely could hand them a spot courtesy of them being one of the four best third-placed finishers.

If they can come up with a suitable game plan, starting with the Bahrain game tomorrow, Sirisak and his assistant coach Choketawee Promrut may yet extend Thailand’s interest in the top regional tournament.

Thailand, currently, world-ranked 118 by Fifa, could fancy their chances against Bahrain (112) but it will certainly be tougher against the UAER (79) on Monday.

“Both teams have better world rankings,” Sirikit acknowledged. “If we go for it too much, it will be exhausting. But we surely won’t be too defensive. We have to find a way in between.”

The 29-year-old Thai took a much-needed break from golf to spend Christmas in Hua Hin with his girlfriend Gam, and is eager to get back into the swing of things as he begins his campaign at the ฿4 million (approximately US$121,700) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event hosted by Thai legend Boonchu Ruangkit.

He will be joined by a star-studded cast aiming to keep the trophy at home. They include defending champion Namchok Tantipokhakul, world number 37 Kiradech Aphibarnrat, three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee and 10-time Asian Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng.

“I feel really relaxed, it was a really good break after a long season. After my vacation with my girlfriend I am looking forward to playing again,” said Pavit, a one-time Asian Tour winner.

The Thai hotshot won his sixth ADT title on home soil in May last year to match the most number of ADT wins with Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang.

That victory provided a timely boost to his underwhelming season where he struggled with a wrist injury and only recorded two top-10 finishes on the region’s premier Tour.

“I had a wrist injury and was out of action for four weeks. But after my win on the ADT I believe I could contend again and it came at a good time.

“The ADT was really where I started. It is where I got my Asian Tour card and earned Asian Tour status. Every time I come back here I just feel comfortable seeing all the familiar faces,” added Pavit, who won the ADT Order of Merit in 2014.

Countryman Jazz Janewattananond is hoping to bounce back from his defeat in the past two editions of the event, after losing in a play-off in 2016 and making bogey on the last hole in the final round the following year to settle for tied-third.

“I have had some pretty good memories here. This event has always been at the end of the season. Now that it is the season-opener, everyone will want to do well and I definitely do have a different mindset this year.

“I spent a lot of time with Boonchu after he picked me to play at the Amata Friendship Cup. It is such an honour to be playing in a tournament hosted by the ‘Godfather’ because he has helped a lot of the younger Thai golfers on Tour,” said Jazz, who was a part of the winning team at the Amata Friendship Cup led by captain Boonchu Ruangkit.

Buoyed by the confidence from earning his Asian Tour card after finishing in fifth place on the Merit ranks last year, Finland’s Janne Kaske will be chasing his third ADT title since his last win in 2015.

“I played some of the best golf I have ever played in the second half of the season last year. After four years of playing on the ADT I think it really helped me develop this mindset where I am confident even when I see my name on the leaderboard,” said Kaske, who recorded eight top-10 results last season.

Other notable names in the field include American duo Johannes Veerman and Casey O’Toole, Shohei Hasegawa and Kazuki Higa of Japan, Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin and Chinese Taipei’s Wang Wei-lun, all winners on the ADT.

The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season.

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are offered on all ADT events with the winner earning a minimum of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

Klopp made nine changes to the side that lost narrowly for the first time in the Premier League this season to Manchester City on Thursday, with Lovren one of only two players to retain their place.

However, the Croatian pulled up with a hamstring injury after just six minutes and was replaced by 16-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever.

“Hamstring, is what I heard – without any signs before,” said Klopp on what forced Lovren off. “I asked everybody, no signs, nothing, just out of the blue, so that’s the decision you have to make.

“I am not sure what you all would have said if immediately from the beginning if our centre-half situation was Fabinho and Ki-Jana; then probably a few very smart people would tell me that I don’t respect the competition or whatever.”

Goals from Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves either side of half-time sent the hosts into round four, where they will face Shrewsbury or Stoke City, despite Divock Origi’s fine strike briefly bringing Liverpool level after the break.

Hoever’s introduction meant Liverpool fielded three teenagers for the majority of the match with Rafael Camacho and Curtis Jones also handed debuts.

However it was the visitors’ most experienced player, Milner, who was at fault for the opening goal when Diogo Jota caught the former England international in possession in midfield and put Jimenez clean through for the Mexican to score his seventh goal of the season.

Without Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, Liverpool were struggling to get any momentum going forward.

But the visitors were level out of nothing when Origi collected a loose ball on the edge of the area six minutes into the second period and smashed the ball high past John Ruddy.

Wolves, though, have made a habit of upsetting the Premier League’s established top six in their first season back in the top flight.

After beating Chelsea and Tottenham and holding City, Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League, Liverpool can now be added to the list of scalps for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side thanks to a wonder strike from Neves.

“He has talent, he has done it before and we encourage him to shoot from range,” said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. “It was a good strike.”

Only a brilliant save from Ruddy denied Xherdan Shaqiri a stunning equaliser and Liverpool a replay as the Swiss’s free-kick was touched onto the inside of the post by the Wolves goalkeeper.

Klopp had a final roll of the dice by throwing on Salah and Firmino for the final 20 minutes, but even their firepower failed to spark a fightback and Klopp’s team selection will now be seriously questioned as he is still to deliver a trophy in his four seasons in charge.

However, with Liverpool still in pole position to deliver a first league title in 29 years, the German coach defended his selection to minimise the chance of his stars suffering injuries.

“We played a similar line-up and had three tough games in the last couple of weeks, so it was clear we had to change,” Klopp added after a run of four Premier League games in 13 days over the festive period.

“The intensity of the last few games gave me the information it was not possible to start with these three up front. Only Dejan played a lot of games in the last three or four weeks, pretty much all the games…He played today and was injured.”

Son of legendary manager Brian Clough, who led Nottingham Forrest to win two European Cups, Clough was in his first spell in charge when Burton, then in English football’s fifth tier, held a Manchester United boasting Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney 0-0 in the FA Cup in 2006.

Burton have since progressed to the third tier in League One, but Clough believes stopping Pep Guardiola’s City, particularly when they travel to the Etihad on Wednesday, is an even tougher task.

“I think this one over two legs,” said Clough, when asked to compare which was the tougher challenge.

“When Rooney and Ronaldo came on after 59 minutes here for Manchester United, it’s a similar sort of prospect with the likes of the quality that Manchester City have.

“But away from home, it’s a different thing. When they are on their own patch, as you saw against Liverpool, they’re as good and as confident as anything.”

Clough also masterminded Sheffield United’s run to the last four of both the League and FA Cup when in League One in two seasons at Bramall Lane between 2013 and 2015.

However, in eliminating Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough of the Championship and Premier League strugglers Burnley, Burton haven’t yet faced anyone of City’s calibre.

“We’ve not gone into any detail with them because that will frighten the life out of them,” admitted Clough. “They know. They watch Match of the Day every week. They know exactly how good they are.

“To reach the League Cup semi-final, in some ways the job is done.

“But we still have an outside chance of achieving a miracle, and that’s what we’ll try for.”

Clough won the League Cup twice as a player under his father’s tutelage at Forrest before a big money move to Liverpool in 1993 and then joining City in 1995 at a time when Premier League survival rather than dominance was the target at Maine Road.

The modern day Abu-Dhabi backed City are still in the hunt for four competitions as after closing the gap on Liverpool to four points at the top of the Premier League table, they thrashed Rotherham 7-0 on Sunday despite naming a much-changed side.

“We do what we have to do to become a great, great club,” warned Guardiola. “The great clubs don’t choose competitions, don’t choose games, you have to do your job.”

The next job for the champions is to end Clough’s dream of leading his side out at Wembley as his father did so often with Forrest.

The Spaniard teamed up with Canadian Milos Raonic to defeat Australians Nick Kyrgios and John Millman in the FAST4 Showdown on Monday evening — a shortened, quicker format of the game often described as the tennis equivalent of Twenty20 cricket.

Nadal said that he was “feeling better” after withdrawing from Brisbane, when an MRI revealed a slight strain of his left thigh, casting doubts over his fitness for next week’s Australian Open.

“I did not feel the pain here,” the 17-time Grand Slam champion said. “I think it was a good start for me, a good comeback to the action in front of a fantastic crowd in Sydney.

“I really enjoyed playing here. I’m happy to be back on court and happy that I’m healthy again.”

Nadal has not played a main tour event since a knee problem forced him to retire during his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro in September.

The 32-year-old had surgery on his ankle in November to remove a loose intra-articular body and only resumed training a month ago.

He played the opening round at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi to start his season, where he lost to South African Kevin Anderson, and had a first round bye in Brisbane before withdrawing ahead of the second round.

Asked by reporters if he considered himself a genuine title contender in Melbourne despite his injury problems, he replied: “Why not?”

“You can’t predict that. Of course it would be better if I had the chance to play a full tournament in Abu Dhabi and a full tournament in Brisbane, but the big importance is I am feeling good with the ball,” he said

“The only thing is that I didn’t play matches since a long time ago.”

Nadal will now head to Melbourne, where he was the champion in 2009, to get in as much practice as possible before the opening Grand Slam of the year begins on Monday.

Thailand’s new acting coach Sirisak Yodyadthai believes he can still turn things around for the war Eelephants, despite the stunning Asian Cup defeat to India on Sunday which prompted the sacking of Milovan Rajevac.

Thailand went into their opening game expecting to pick up three points from what appeared to be their easiest task but they were overshadowed by the more powerful and faster India, who duly beat them for the first time in 32 years.

The disastrous defeat accelerated the decision from Thai FA boss Somyot Poompanmoung to part with Rajevac, even though Thailand still have two group games left, against Bahrain on January 10 and the United Arab Emirates on 14.

“Although the players and the coaching team already performed their best duties in the game with India, I’m confident it was not the playing format that Thai FA and the team supporters desired,” Somyot said of his swift decision to axe the Serb.

Assistant coach Sirisak was therefore appointed as acting coach for the rest of the Cup, with Choketawee Promrut as his assistant.

“Admittedly this is a tough responsibility,” said the 49-year-old former coach of Thai League team Thai Honda. “But on the other side, I still believe in the competence of Thai players, who are second to none.

“If we join hands and work together, I believe we can improve the team results,” added Sirisak, who has worked as assistant to Rajevac since the Serb’s appointment in April 2017.

Rumours swirled before the start of the Cup that players were unhappy with Rajevac and his ultra-cautious tactics were too defensive for players more accustomed to an attacking style.

The team has been far from impressive recently and went into the top regional tournament after failing to defend last month’s AFF Cup, going out on away goals to Malaysia in the semi-finals.

The team’s fortunes sank further when they lost a warm-up game to Oman five days ahead of the game with India.

It was on Sunday, however, that Thailand completely fell apart as a team.

Despite Rajevac’s belated willingness to instruct his players to adopt a more attacking approach, plus the return of highly rated J-League players Teerasil Dangda, Theerathon Bunmathan and Chanathip Songkrasin, Thailand were still thrown off balance by the well-organised Indians.

“After a talk with Choketawee, we [have decided we] must change the whole system: tactics, playing format and our defence,” said Sirisak. “We lost the too many goals in the second half because of a loose focus.

“We have to come up with new approaches that will earn us points. Choketawee and I are confident that the situation of the team will get better in the next two games.”

Sirisak, from Maha Sarakham, used to play as winger for Osotsapa between 1988-1997 before becoming a coach with Thai Honda, and successfully propelling the team into the top-flight league for the first time in 10 years in 2016.

Meanwhile, team captain Teerasil Dangda urged his players to brush aside the agony of defeat and recover as fast as possible for the remaining games.

“It’s difficult to reach the round of 16 now but anything can happen in football. We need to forget the previous match and reunite to give a hard fight from now on,” added the 30-year-old striker, who scored the lone Thai goal against India.

Despite the sacking of Rajevac, fans are continuing to rage on the internet, many demanding the resignation of Football Association of Thailand president Somyot.

Even Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan weighed into the debate, saying yesterday: “As he cannot be fired, he should consider [his position] himself.”

The former Indonesian star has been hired by Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul to help sharpen the skills of the Kingdom’s singles players and follows the arrival of countryman Rexy Mainaky, who has been coaching the doubles players here since 2017.

Nitchaon says she had learned new techniques from Santosa and felt ready for the BWF season-opener, which takes place at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium until Sunday.

“The coach helps us to build a positive attitude and confidence in our potential,” said 27-year-old Nitchaon who will in action for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals at the Korea Masters in November.

“ He even makes us take notes, which helps us absorb things he taught. That helps us remember what we have to do on court, which is very effective,” added Nitchaon.

The defending champion leads Thai hopes to win a tournament which will not feature world No 8 Ratchanok Intanon, who has opted to start her year in Malaysia next week.

Other local favourites in the singles draw are world No 22 Pornpawee Chochuwong and 2017 champion Busanan Ongbamrungphan.

Nitchaon will start her match on Wednesday against a qualifier, with a possible match with former World Junior Championships silver medalist Fritiani Fritiani of Indonesia to follow in round two.

Court records obtained by Washington ABC 7 News and The Athletic showed that Rooney was arrested in Loudon County, Virginia, on December 16 for cursing and intoxication, a misdemeanor for which he was released from custody on his own recognizance before paying the fine and court costs on Friday.

Rooney was arrested by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority at Dulles International Airport, which is located in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington.

The former England captain apparently was at the airport after a trip back from Saudi Arabia. He had posted a photo of himself on December 14 from Riyadh at an event.

“We are aware of news reports indicating that Wayne Rooney was arrested in December,” DC United said in a statement issued to US media outlets, including the Washington Post.

“We understand the media’s interest in this matter but believe this is a private matter for Wayne that DC United Will handle internally.”

Rooney is serving a two-year UK drink driving ban stemming from a September 2017 arrest in England.

The 33-year-old forward came to the US capital last July, signing with DC United and taking the last-place Major League Soccer club into the playoffs in his first half-season with the squad.

Rooney was the centerpiece of United’s marketing campaign as the team opened a new stadium, the English star saying upon his arrival he looked forward to the challenge and enjoyed the relative anonymity afforded by suburban life in America.

His contract, which according to the MLS Payers Association pays him a salary of some $2.8 million plus revenue from bonuses and sponsorship, runs through the 2020 season.

United open the 2019 MLS season on March 3 against Atlanta United. Pre-season training camp opens in two weeks.

Court records obtained by Washington ABC 7 News and The Athletic showed that the former Manchester United star, who now plays for DC United in Major League Soccer, was arrested by police at Dulles International Airport, located the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, on December 16.

Rooney, who was returning from a promotional trip to Saudi Arabia, was charged with misdemeanor public intoxication and swearing in Loudon County, Virginia, and released on his own recognizance before paying a $25 fine and court costs on Friday.

“During the flight Wayne took a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption and consequently was disorientated on arrival,” his spokesman said.

“He was approached by police who arrested him on a minor misdemeanour charge.

“He received a statutory automatic fine and was released shortly afterwards at the airport. The matter is now at an end.

“Wayne would like to put on record his appreciation for the manner he was treated by all involved.”

DC United said they were aware of the reports of Rooney’s arrest in a statement issued to US media.

“We understand the media’s interest in this matter but believe this is a private matter for RWayne that DC United Will handle internally,” the club said.

Rooney is serving a two-year UK drink driving ban stemming from a September 2017 arrest in England.

The 33-year-old forward came to the US capital last July, signing with DC United and taking the last-place Major League Soccer club into the playoffs in his first half-season with the squad.

Rooney was the centerpiece of United’s marketing campaign as the team opened a new stadium, the English star saying upon his arrival he looked forward to the challenge and enjoyed the relative anonymity afforded by suburban life in America.

His contract, which according to the MLS Payers Association pays him a salary of some $2.8 million plus revenue from bonuses and sponsorship, runs through the 2020 season.

United open the 2019 MLS season on March 3 against Atlanta United.

Thailand were far from impressive against the more powerful Indian team who beat the Kingdom’s side for the first time in 32 years.

Thai FA reacted by announcing the suspension of contract with Rajevac on its official facebook at the dawn of Monday and appointed Sirisak Yodyathai as acting coach with immediate effect.

“Although the players and the coaching team already performed their best duties in the game with India, I’m confident it was not the playing format that Thai FA and the team supporters desired,” Thai FA president Somyot Poompanmoung says in the statement.

Rajevac was selected as the Thai national coach in April 2017 to replace Kiatsisak Senamuang. Last month he failed to lead Thailand to defend the AFF Cup title, losing to Malaysia in the semi-finals on away goal rules.